<a href="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Honor-Society.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1112" alt="Honor Society" src="http://news.sjvc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Honor-Society-290x290.jpg" width="290" height="290" /></a>Heads held high, seven <a title="SJVC Bakersfield" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/bakersfield/" target="_blank">Bakersfield</a> students received the highest acclaim of induction into the National Technical Honor Society, during a ceremony held on campus last month. Eligibility for induction includes a minimum 90% attendance rate, 3.5 GPA and completion of a community service component. Those seven students are:
<ul>
	<li>John Montoya, Pharmacy Technology</li>
	<li>Gabriela Gastelum, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>
	<li>Andrea Vigil, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>
	<li>Heidi Albarillo, Diagnostic Medical Sonography</li>
	<li>Joe Flores Villaneuva, Pharmacy Technology</li>
	<li>Valerie Garcia, Health Care Insurance Specialist</li>
	<li>Sahara Sanchez, Business Administration</li>
</ul>
Students’ friends and family attended the candlelight ceremony and watched them recite the induction pledge. Inductees receive a certificate of membership, special scholarship opportunities, letter of recognition for potential employers or education facilities, lifetime membership in the Honor Society and are allowed to wear the distinguishing regalia of stole and tassel at their graduation ceremony.

“It’s a really proud moment for our students and their families,” says Melissa Gonzales, Dean of Student Services at the Bakersfield campus. “It’s very austere and nice that they receive this honor in front of their families.”

In addition to academic and attendance qualifiers, students perform a minimum of 30-community service hours in areas of need, such as hospitals and homeless shelters and with various <a title="San Joaquin Valley College" href="http://www.sjvc.edu/" target="_blank">SJVC</a> events and functions, such as New Student Orientation tours.

SJVC’s National Technical Honor Society members are acknowledged at graduation ceremonies twice each year and receive a special certificate of accomplishment.